City of Shafter Press Release: City of Shafter and Shafter Library & Learning Center celebrated an exciting milestone with the groundbreaking of the Police Substation and Library Extension in Gossamer Grove on December 17.

Thank you to everyone who came out to be part of this special moment. The turnout was incredible, and it truly showed the strong support and pride of our community.

We want to extend a special thank you to Senator Melissa Hurtado for securing $6 million in funding for this project and for her continued dedication to public safety and her unwavering support of the Shafter community. This investment will have a lasting impact for generations to come.

Thank you to our residents, local businesses, community organizations, and the dignitaries who joined us to celebrate this important step forward.

Police Chief Randy Milligan estimates that the substation facility will be completed by the third quarter of 2026. It will be staffed by Assistant Police Chief Brian Knox.

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Remarks by David Franz, Community Services Director, City of Shafter 

The fact that there is a library extension in this project says a lot about this City Council and the councils that came before it. It reflects their commitment to families and children, and building the kind of public infrastructure that supports them.

Our library, which will now be known as the main branch of the Shafter Library system, is a space for curiosity and really for wonder. It is the envy of library lovers across Kern County and beyond.

It has become that because of our staff.

I especially want to recognize Samantha Saldaña, who also leads our Scoutmobile team and has spent a lot of time in this neighborhood, and Rebecca Bernal, who supervises the Learning Center, for their work.

This expansion will allow us to serve more families and continue building a community where the wonder of children is valued.